Saucers vol 3 no 4

Magazine Overview

'SAUCERS' Vol. III, No. 4, published in December 1955, is a quarterly magazine from Flying Saucers International, a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, California. Max B. Miller serves as the editor. The issue is priced at 25¢ per copy and features a cover with five UFO photographs taken in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1952. The magazine's stated purpose is to explore the reality of flying saucers, their power, their riders, and their potential extraterrestrial origin.

Editorial: A Year of Expectations

The editorial, titled 'WE ARE FACING A YEAR OF EXPECTATIONS,' looks forward to 1956, noting the close approach of Mars (36 million miles) and Venus (25 million miles) to Earth. It anticipates predictions of mass flying saucer landings and 'official government announcements.' The editorial also touches upon 'Project Vanguard,' the U.S. effort to launch orbital satellites for the International Geophysical Years of 1957-58. It highlights astronomer E. C. Slipher's declaration of the reality of Martian canals. The piece reflects on the political climate, recalling the 1952 'Washington Crises' involving UFO sightings and the Air Force's 'temperature inversion refraction' explanation. It questions whether political candidates will address the UFO topic and references the Air Force's recent pronouncement that flying saucers, in all probability, do not exist, except for potential future 'saucer-shaped' aircraft. The editorial concludes by urging readers to maintain a skeptical but open mind when evaluating phenomena.

Flying Saucers in the Bible by Rose Hackett

This article explores the possibility that the Bible contains accounts of phenomena consistent with flying saucers and extraterrestrial visitors. The author, Rose Hackett, states that saucers are real, their power is natural, their riders are real people, and they are visiting Earth for a purpose. The article posits that biblical narratives, from Genesis onwards, describe messengers from 'heaved up' regions communicating with humans through dreams, visions, and ESP. It suggests that God used energy to manifest visible creation, and that modern science is rediscovering these principles. Hackett argues that the Bible's prophecies and historical records align, and that individuals living by Bible precepts demonstrate its truth. She draws parallels between Christ's earthly ministry, his ability to overcome physical limitations, and the concept of 'mat and demat' (materialization and dematerialization), suggesting that biblical accounts of angels, chariots, and heavenly ascensions can be interpreted as descriptions of advanced technology and space travel. The article concludes that the Bible speaks of reality in progressive events, not mere legends, and that science is now applying universal laws revealed in the Bible, such as atomic power and potential human teleportation.

Interplanetary Visitor Communications by John Otto

John Otto details his extensive efforts to establish communication with extraterrestrial visitors, referred to as 'visitors' or 'saucer pilots.' He draws a parallel between Archimedes' mathematical leaps and the current 'ice breaking' mental and physical leaps in saucer research, noting that even humble individuals are contributing to this field. Otto describes his 'Lite-Beam' communication attempts and, more prominently, his experiments with radio broadcasts. He recounts an event in November 1954 where he appeared on Johnny Desmond's TV show to discuss 'FLYING SAUCER REPORT.' He also describes an attempt with disc-jockey Jim Mills in Chicago to arrange a landing via broadcast. The core of this section details a significant event on October 28th, 1955, where Otto, along with Ben Hunter (host of KFI's 'Night-Owl' program) and Gordon Sturgill, broadcast a message to outer space inviting visitors to communicate. During a 15-second silent period, an 'astounding high-speed coded message' was reportedly received. Otto emphasizes that mechanical communication is a key to clearing up misunderstandings in saucer research and that authentic communication would have a profound meaning for humanity. He notes the overwhelming public response to the KFI broadcast, with numerous calls and tape recordings of potential extraterrestrial replies.

Signals From Jupiter?

This section reports on radio noises, or 'signals,' emanating from the planet Jupiter, detected since the summer of 1954 by Drs. B. F. Burke and K. L. Franklin of the Carnegie Institute of Washington. These signals were detected on 13.5 meters (22 megacycles) and were particularly intense and irregular during Jupiter's transits over the Institute's radio telescope. While major news services suggested giant electrical storms on Jupiter as the cause, the June 1955 issue of 'Sky and Telescope' noted that electrical discharges would need to be on an 'enormously greater scale than on earth' to account for the observed intensity. Further reports from a symposium on Radio Astronomy in August 1955, and an article in 'Sky and Telescope' by Bart J. Bok, confirmed the existence of these signals, noting they were restricted to times when a specific side of Jupiter faced Earth and were 'at least a billion times as strong as radiation from lightning in terrestrial thunderstorms.'

Other Content

The issue also includes a section titled 'Miscellany' and 'The Names Released' by Ray Stanford, along with 'Book Notes & Short Shots.' The publication details indicate that 'SAUCERS' is published approximately quarterly, with subscription rates of $1.00 for 4 issues, $2.00 for 8 issues, and $3.00 for 12 issues. The copyright is held by Max B. Miller in 1955.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential for significant UFO activity and extraterrestrial contact in the near future (particularly 1956), the exploration of UFO phenomena through religious texts (the Bible), and the practical attempts to communicate with potential extraterrestrial visitors using technology. The editorial stance encourages an open-minded, yet skeptical, approach to evaluating evidence, suggesting that the public is ready for information that 'powers that be' may be withholding. There is a strong undercurrent of belief in the reality of flying saucers and the possibility of interplanetary visitors.

Title: SAUCERS
Issue: December 1955
Publisher: Flying Saucers International
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of SAUCERS magazine delves into the ongoing mystery of flying saucers, addressing official denials, witness accounts, and alleged government cover-ups. It features a critical editorial perspective on the Air Force's dismissal of UFO phenomena and highlights specific incidents and publications within the UFO community.

Air Force and Public Perception

The magazine opens with a commentary on the Air Force's recent declaration that flying saucers are merely figments of people's imaginations. An editorial from the Los Angeles Times, titled "Air Force Sees No Flying Saucers" (November 5, 1955), is quoted extensively. The editorial suggests that such official pronouncements will not deter enthusiasts who have personally witnessed these phenomena. It posits that the Air Force's eight-year investigation through Project Blue Book is unlikely to convince those who believe they have seen and know the reality of flying saucers, which they perceive as offering an escape from a mundane world. The article notes that the prospect of aircraft being designed to resemble flying saucers does not impress these enthusiasts, as they feel they have already seen the "real thing" long before terrestrial designs.

Subscription Drive and Group Information

A section is dedicated to promoting gift subscriptions to SAUCERS magazine, offering special rates for multiple subscriptions during the holiday season. Attractive parchment Christmas cards will be sent to recipients. Additionally, the magazine solicits information from Flying Saucer Groups for a potential listing in a future issue. This includes details such as the group's name, leadership, mailing address, phone number, meeting times, and locations. A tentative deadline of February 1st is set for this information.

UFO Sighting Submissions

The magazine also issues a call for UFO sightings, both recent and historical, to be included in its "UFO NEWS" section. Readers are encouraged to provide as much information as possible with their reports, and are asked to specify if their names can be used or if they wish to remain anonymous.

"The Names Released!" by Ray Stanford

This article by Ray Stanford details a personal contact with a flying saucer on November 6, 1954, on Padre Island, Texas. The encounter was witnessed by ten individuals, including a constable, a deputy constable, and a state highway patrolman. Stanford addresses common questions of disbelief, particularly regarding the witnesses' attire (long overcoats) and his initial reluctance to name the officers. He explains that the overcoats were borrowed and splattered with paint, and that the constable had requested his name not be used unless absolutely necessary, citing privacy concerns and a desire to avoid public attention.

Stanford recounts his hesitation to release the officers' names due to potential privacy invasion lawsuits. However, after discussions and feedback, including a comment from Desmond Leslie, co-author of "Flying Saucers Have Landed," that the story was less believable without names, Stanford decided to release them. He notes that an article in a men's magazine questioned the validity of the Padre contact due to the withheld names, prompting his decision. The article concludes by listing the names of the non-officer witnesses from Corpus Christi and Brownsville, Texas, and the named officers: Don Hoyd (Texas State Highway Patrolman) and Steve Woods (Constable), with the deputy constable remaining unnamed.

Stanford also briefly mentions having had another experience with "ships from other worlds" since the first contact. He notes a recent increase in sightings in Corpus Christi and predicts that Mars and Venus will make near sweeps to Earth in 1956, encouraging readers to watch the skies.

"Sonic Blasts" Or-?

This section, attributed to Max B. Miller, reports on an unprecedented number of noticeable "sonic blasts" that have recently drawn public attention. Two similarities are noted: a distinct noise and a felt concussion. The article details three specific incidents:

1. September 29, 1955: A sonic blast in the San Francisco Bay Area at 7:24 PM caused significant traffic jams and panic. Jet aircraft from Moffett Field were initially blamed, but authorities doubted their capability to break the sonic barrier or their presence over the city at the time.
2. September 30, 1955: A blast was felt in West Los Angeles around 12:54 PM, described by the writer as one of the strongest ever felt. A friend in Bel Air, about seven miles away, also reported feeling it with similar severity.
3. October 7, 1955: Another blast occurred in the Bay Area, reported by the State Highway Patrol as a "sharp explosion, preceded by a rumbling noise," shaking windows at 9:45 AM. It was felt on both sides of the Bay.

The cause of these shocks remains a mystery. While military airfields reported jet planes overhead, they disclaimed responsibility. Seismographs at the University of California showed no earthquake activity. The article references Charles Fort's work, noting that similar occurrences have been reported for centuries, often preceded by strange luminous objects or flashes in the sky, and sometimes linked to Mars' orbital positions.

"The Flying Saucer Conspiracy" Book Review

This section promotes Donald E. Keyhoe's forthcoming book, "THE FLYING SAUCER CONSPIRACY," scheduled for publication on December 5, 1955, by Henry Holt and Company, priced at $3.50. The excerpt from the dust jacket explains that the book addresses the question of whether there is an actual conspiracy in Washington to suppress facts about flying saucers. Keyhoe, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and retired Marine officer, had hoped that government information on UFOs would be made public after his 1953 book, "Flying Saucers From Outer Space." Instead, he claims official secrecy increased. The book reportedly details how startling new developments are concealed and discusses thousands of sightings confirmed by pilots and radar. Keyhoe believes censorship is driven by a few individuals aiming to prevent public hysteria, but argues it is inimical to democracy, which requires informed citizens. The book provides information on over one hundred recent saucer sightings, concluding that saucers are machines from outer space, superior to Earth-developed technology.

A coupon is provided for readers to order the book through Flying Saucers International.

"Saucer" Books

This section advertises six books by Michael X. Barton, described as a nationally known lecturer, author, and researcher in the UFO field since 1952. The books are presented as "Amazing, Fascinating, Strange" treatises for "New-Age" individuals:

1. "FLYING SAUCER REVELATIONS" ($2.00): Covers the UFO mystery, the Saucer People, Earth's population origins, the Great Pyramid's link to Space People, and a visit to Giant Rock.
2. "WE WANT YOU" (IS HITLER ALIVE?) ($2.00): Discusses earth-built UFOs developed by Nazis during WWII and Hitler's escape, with rare photos.
3. "SECRETS OF HIGHER CONTACT" ($2.00): Offers techniques for reaching high consciousness, contacting Interplanetary Beings, and increasing one's "LIGHT" for "Brothers of the Higher Arc" to draw closer. Includes psychic self-defense.
4. "RAINBOW CITY AND INNER EARTH PEOPLE" ($2.00): Explores the possibility of a hollow Earth, Admiral Byrd's findings, and flying saucers originating from a hidden world inside the Earth.
5. "VENUSIAN HEALTH MAGIC" ($5.00): Presents "Health Magic" from Interplanetary Teachers, detailing how to use "magical Lifetrons" to overcome poor health.
6. "VENUSIAN SECRET-SCIENCE" ($5.00): Offers seven lessons on a "Secret-Science" designed to accelerate Earthman's higher evolution, based on atomic laws of Life, Love, and Light.

A "SPECIAL OFFER" is presented: any three of the $2.00 volumes for $5.00 prepaid, or all six volumes for $15.00 prepaid. A mail coupon is provided for ordering.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of flying saucers, the perceived lack of transparency from official sources like the Air Force, and the growing body of evidence and testimony from witnesses and researchers. The magazine's stance is clearly in favor of investigating and publicizing UFO phenomena, challenging official skepticism, and promoting the idea that these are real, potentially extraterrestrial, craft. There is a strong emphasis on conspiracy and secrecy as explanations for the official denial of UFO reality. The promotion of books and subscriptions indicates a desire to build and inform a community of believers and interested individuals.